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CONTACT Nancy Hook 10829 Old Raleigh Wilson Rd. Middlesex, NC 27557 252-235-2545 
E-mail
Copyright 2002-2024 Hook's K9 Training Nancy R. Hook All Rights Reserved |
| Canine Profiles |
This is Emma and her pitbull, Rocky. When Emma and Rocky got out of their car the first night, other students were nervous. Here came a young, wild pitbull on a rope! But there's more to this dog than meets the eye, and it was something I wanted my students to learn.
First of all, the rope is a cotton lead line for a horse. Emma has carpal tunnel syndrome, and can't grip a regular leash, so her son thought of the lead line, which works great. It has nothing to do with the dog at all!
Secondly, ALL the dogs coming to beginner class were pulling on their leashes, barking, and generally acting the fool. But Rocky was a 10 month old pitbull, and that seemed to make a world of difference. However, Rocky turned out NOT to be the class aggressor--it was a much smaller dog who took that role!
People gradually relaxed around Rocky, as each dog started learning some manners, and he proved to be a willing student.
Then one night Emma came to class with a story to tell. She had been laying on the couch watching TV when Rocky started scratching at her and whining. It hadn't been long since he'd been out, so she told him to leave her alone. He persisted, to the point of jumping on the couch and sitting on her. At such strange behavior, Emma got up to fuss at him, but he ran to the door. She opened the door, and Rocky ran out. Emma's husband, who is on oxygen, had collapsed in the yard. Rocky ran to him and grabbed his cuff, trying to drag him towards the house. Emma got her husband on the porch, then went to call her son for help. Rocky sat by his "dad" on the porch till help came.
So Rocky, first perceived to be one of those "bad" dogs, proved to be a hero. A great lesson for those who judge a dog by the breed. Like humans, there are good and bad in every breed, and each dog has to be judged individually.
"Doctor Pepper"
This is Pepper, who was adopted from a shelter as an adult dog with many problems. Dave and Amber Alsobrooks decided to adopt him for just that reason--what were his chances of being adopted if they didn't take him?
Pepper, who looked to be a Lab-pitbull cross, was afraid of men, noises, movement, separation--well, you name it. He was heartworm positive and depressed. But they saw something more in this sad dog.
They adopted him, and started bringing him to our classes in Durham. They worked so patiently with him, addressing a problem at a time, not trying to cure everything at once. And because of their dedication to training, their immense patience, and their belief in this dog, he blossomed. The shy, neurotic dog they had seen something in became a steady, trusting, loving companion.
But as good as that story is, it didn't end there. Amber was working on her master's degree in recreational therapy at UNC-CH, and decided to train Pepper as a therapy dog. Pepper was soon certified , and showed a special gift for the work. As Dave and Amber made a difference in his life, he gave that gift back to the patients he worked with.
He died unexpectedly in August, but he had already left his indelible mark in this world.
Not a bad legacy for a thrown-away dog!
Doberman
Rottweiler
German- Shepherd
Chow
Akita
Bull Terrier
Fila- Brasileiro
Bull Mastiff
Cano-Presario
Neopolitan-Mastiff
What comes to your mind when you hear these breeds?
Don't let the media form your opinions! It just isn't very interesting press to write about a dog who DIDN'T bite!
There wouldn't be much of a reaction to a story about a man bitten by a chihuahua!
They go looking for stories to incite a reaction, to sell papers.
Most dogs are just dogs, as good as their breeding and upbringing permits.
I have had all of the above breeds, and more that I can't spell, in my classes and in Boot Camp. Over and over they have proved to my students that they are just dogs. As with every breed, some are more suited to a certain type of individual or experience level than others. But they respond to training, discipline and love just like any dog.
I actually have more biting cases involving small breed dogs who have become so spoiled that they do the disciplining in the family.
Research the breed you're interested in by talking to people with experience. Don't trust the media, and be careful trusting the backyard breeder who just wants to get that puppy gone!
Find a good match for you and your family.
They're all just dogs, and that's plenty good enough for me!